HAMPSHIRE'S chief constable has pledged that no police stations will close as a result of force restructuring due to take place next year.

Paul Kernaghan said the proposed mergers of Eastleigh and Andover police divisions and Fareham with Gosport would "further improve" the constabulary's service to the public.

The chief constable said the restructuring, due to take effect from April next year, would remove some areas of duplication, allowing greater resources to be directed towards serving members of the public.

He also stressed there would be no reduction in numbers of operational police in any of the areas affected.

Mr Kernaghan said: "For some time it has been clear that some of the divisions in the force area are too small - they are out of step with national trends for bigger policing areas and find it much more difficult to resource and effectively run policing initiatives than larger ones."

Police bosses say the restructuring should mean greater efficiency and more officer time spent on the beat.

However, the planned merger has already come under fire from one Hampshire councillor, who fears joining Gosport with Fareham could have a detrimental effect on local policing.

Gosport councillor Peter Edgar said: "The policing of the two towns is entirely different. Gosport is a very populated peninsula with no rural areas and over the next few years will be getting an influx of service personnel. There are major areas of deprivation. Gosport has its own character and ethos and is unique.

"With the top policeman being based at Fareham, this means a further downgrading of Gosport's own police station."

Police chiefs say the number of civilian support staff affected by the changes should be small.

Andover division covers large parts of the Test Valley, while Eastleigh division includes Eastleigh, Hedge End, Romsey, Netley and Hamble. The existing Fareham division includes Fareham, Stubbington, Park Gate, Locks Heath, Warsash, Bishop's Waltham, Wickham and Whiteley, while Gosport division includes Gosport and Lee-on-the-Solent.

Designated divisional commander for the merged Eastleigh and Andover division is Supt Ann Wakefield, currently divisional commander at Eastleigh. Supt Graham Haycock, currently based at Fareham, is the designated divisional commander for the merged Gosport and Fareham division.